For the purpose of full disclosure, I admit to being a minimalist by nature and strongly feel the best boat for anyone is the smallest one suited for their intended use. (I also feel everyone should be totally honest with themselves on how they truly will use their boat)
After spending nearly 4mths living aboard a Helmsman Camano and travelling from Seattle up and throughout the Broughtons (twice), I can honestly say it is the best set of compromises for our intended use.
I single hand often and this boat is easy on and off the dock. There were several times hopping onto the dock, alone, in strong side winds that I was thankful for a reasonable displacement that I could “pull in” and tie. Shoving the bow or stern off at departures was stress free as well.
The layout works. No other way to put it. When “she who must be obeyed” was aboard, the forward facing mate’s chair was truly appreciated. She loved the efficient galley and really liked the oven as well. The fridge is bigger than my last boats and the separate large freezer compartment and door a bonus. It was easy to stock up for the 2 of us to be “away”. Helmsman has utilized space extremely well and we found abundant storage. The forward cabin is beautifully finished and the multiple lockers made the “his and hers” separation pretty painless. The hanging locker is surprisingly big and we loved the separate head-shower. Lots of less used items went under the upper settee as well as the bunk. Both of us found the boat to be extremely comfortable for a couple.
If you are going to have a lot of company, I think it could get small pretty fast, but for our use it really was near perfect. Throw in docking and the small size was more appreciated. Then....as Emma B received the big final clean up before hauling we were again thankful for it’s size. Ad in lower dock and storage fees, less bottom paint etc etc and if you plan to do extended cruising solo or as a couple, I doubt there is an easier to handle and more well thought out design available. If your going to have other couples or multiple children along...a few more feet is probably worth it.
For us, and our use, after 4mths cruising, Emma B is “just right”

We are a family of four with two small children and for now the setup works well for us. We have done many overnight and multi-night trips and it isn't too cramped for us. It really is amazing how large the v-berth is on these boats. While we use the convertable in the salon, four of us could sleep in the v-berth if needed! I appreciate the lower maintenance and smaller size of the boat... makes for great day trips. We have a full canvas enclosure on the flybridge and cockpit... great for year-round cruising but it does add a bit of windage so she likes to move around a bit more when docking/undocking. But overall nice to have the additional "living" spaces!

I looked at the Camano very closely, it is a really nice boat. I wanted to join a "cult" though, and I heard Willard owners were cult members :-)

One of the reasons I went with my vessel was the difference in fuel consumption, on my budget and being almost completely retired I had the time to spend traveling so I could settle for the lower speed capability. I don't have the option to go fast, but one gallon an hour is my max fuel consumption and under a half gallon an hour is my norm.

I agree if there are more than two aboard compromises must be made, but for two active people who get off the boat and hike and kayak it's more than adequate. Single handing 30' is almost perfect, you can do it all yourself with minimal steps between bow and helm, stern and helm, as well as dock and helm.

For two people. If I want to have friends spend more than a night or two aboard, a real second stateroom is a necessity for me.

Bingo. If we were to take people out with us for photography trips, we’d need a bigger boat. At this stage in our lives we have no desire to make a business out of it, so 30’ is plenty of boat for our needs.

Having our daughter and one of her friends for long weekend trips hasn’t been a problem; they get the forward berth and we take the saloon table/bed. Hardly a hardship.

Then again, if a Transpacific Eagle 40 came around at the right time...

__________________"The most interesting path between two points is not a straight line" Murray Minchin

Speaking of camanos being a great couples boat (providing they have 2 anchors)(of exceptable weight and design as well) has anyone seen a Maple Bay 27? I was lucky enough to be aboard one for a tour a few years ago. What a pretty, classic looking and extremely livable smaller boat. Only a few were built and long out of production now. No flybridge tho.. I’ve truly gotten to enjoy the flybridge on sunny days.

DF,
Pulled into Point Baker on the no end of Prince of Wales Is and there one was. Just ahead of us on the float. Had seen one for sale in Fri Hbr a year or two before. Thought it was the perfect boat until I got my hands on a Willard. They burn half the fuel as a Willard but who cares .. it’s such a small amount. A looper would .. maybe. I think they have a 27hp Yanmar. They are narrow and round and I’m sure roll much more than the Willard. They are almost a sailboat conversion completed at birth day. I doubt there are any on the right coast.